A few years ago I walked downtown to the Stanley Milner library in Edmonton, Alberta. I enjoyed the walk downtown as it was exercise with a mission; that being to return library books and find another (or more) to bring home. On this particular February day, it was winter...mildly snowing and early afternoon. I was in a particularly happy mood to start with, but as my library visit went on, the better my day unfolded.
After finding myself at the library and returning my books that day, I wandered around to look at the library's displays. As many libraries do, tables with books with themes or a special focus are laid out for book-lovers to devour. I love these types of tables because many times the library employees pull out books that you didn't even know would interest you, or that you even happened to stumble upon by yourself. This happened on my trip to the library that snowy February.
Sometimes, taking a mid-day vacation day to enjoy favorite activites is worth its weight in gold. I felt relaxed that day, the thought that maybe I would find something to pack along to a cafe, fall into a chair with a latte and read. As I handled the books on the display (romance theme; February, of course) I picked up 'The 52nd Poem' by Thomas Trofimuk. Thomas Trofimuk was a local Edmontonian. The book had been written with romance at it's heart and with local neighborhoods and businesses noted without. I became very interested, very fast in this book.
I held it in my hand as part of the decision stage... I thought about the theme, the locality of author and setting, and during my thought process, found myself handling the cover, feeling the torn-edge style pages, and adoring the mountains pictured on the front. Within only a couple moments I was checking the book out and tucking it into my book bag (fun book bags - a must!! More on that in another post).
With book, bagged and in tow, I wandered out into the snowy day. I found myself wandering streets with a huge smile on my face. I wandered to a cafe I hadn't been in before. I wanted a new experience. I found myself in a 2nd Cup Cafe along Jasper Avenue. One I had passed many times, but never entered as usually on days like this, I was working and not near this cafe. On this day however, I puled over the door, found a cozy chair, bought a latte and settled into read, 'The 52nd Poem'. From the beginning; hooked.
Now, a review of the book; not the point here. Rather, the point of this blog post is to relate the joy of finding a book that delights you to your core, and that having the experience of that book being as memorable as the words on the page. That day was a perfect book-reading day. I do need to point out, that as soon as I finished th book, I went out and bought it. It now lives on my bookcase as a very valuable member.
I encourage you to read it. part of the reason I loved the book was the hunt, the locality, the ambient cafe / vacation day and romantic, cozy snow. The story is good, the romance tugged at my heart. Give it a sample.... but be sure to find a great spot to sit, add your favorite drink to the table beside you and get lost for a few hours in a love story.
